Chainsaw Man, starting contract to cut down the Demon Line

Machima sat there quietly, scrutinizing Yan Liang who had just entered, a faint, gentle smile playing on her lips.

However, Machima was not the only person in the meeting room.

On either side of her sat four old men with gray hair and wrinkled faces.

They were all dressed in expensive, custom-made suits, nearly half-buried, and their expressions were all very serious.

It's worth mentioning that those old men all looked at Yan Liang with empty arrogance. It seemed they didn't take Yan Liang seriously at all.

Clearly, their presence in this place and the look in their eyes revealed their identities. They were high-ranking figures in the Japanese Public Security Bureau, just like Machima.

Not only that, Yan Liang also noticed that there was a lone chair placed directly in front of the conference table.

The chair was positioned precisely where the group's line of sight met, and combined with the dim lighting around it, it looked exactly like a dock used in a courtroom to try a criminal.

Seeing Yan Liang walk in and stop, Machima's smile became even gentler, her voice like silk soaking in warm water, carrying a magical power that made one feel weak all over, echoing in the spacious conference hall:

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Yan Liangjun..."

Then, she introduced him to the senior executives beside her:

"Everyone, this is Yan Liangjun, the new captain of Special Division 4, whom I mentioned to you before."

After finishing the introduction, Machima turned her gaze back to Yan Liang, her slender, fair fingers gently pointing to the lonely chair, and said softly:

"You must be tired from rushing all the way here..."

"By the way, there weren't originally any chairs here, but since you requested one before, this chair was specially prepared for you."

"Please sit down, Yan Liangjun. It will be easier to talk if you sit down."

Upon hearing this, Yan Liang stopped half a meter away from the chair.

He glanced down at the chair, then looked up at the five people sitting high behind the table, and couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

If this were a confrontation, it would be a show of force. And judging from Yan Liang's attitude, he certainly wouldn't back down to Machima. In addition, this kind of low-level tactic, repeated time and time again, also made Yan Liang somewhat unhappy.

Standing tall and straight, Yan Liang didn't even touch the chair. He met Maqima's gaze without flinching, raised an eyebrow, and said:

"No need. I was very tired before, but today is different. I feel like I have a lot of energy."

"So this time I can just stand."

Upon hearing this, the eyebrows of the old men beside him furrowed, displeased with Yan Liang's ungrateful attitude.

Machima, who was already used to Yan Liang's personality, wasn't angry; she simply smiled slightly.

"Is that so? Since Yan Liangjun prefers to stand, then so be it."

Yan Liang ignored the stares of those around him and then spoke naturally:

"The message I received was to attend a combat meeting regarding today's large-scale attack on the Public Security Bureau..."

"However, what's with this atmosphere? To me, this looks more like a grand banquet than a war meeting."

Chapter 139 Police Investigation

"Yan Liangjun really loves to joke."

Faced with Yan Liang's barbed question, Maqima did not deny it. She narrowed her eyes slightly and explained in a soothing, gentle tone:

"Don't make the atmosphere so tense..."

"Regarding today's large-scale attack on the police, the cleanup work and the reassurance of the personnel have probably been handled."

"However, there are still many illogical and suspicious points hidden behind this attack."

"In addition, the Fourth Division is also at the center of this incident. As the team leader, the higher-ups wanted to invite you over to simply verify some details."

"boom!"

As soon as Machima finished speaking, an old man with a face full of age spots sitting to her left slammed his hand on the table.

He seemed to have long since reached his breaking point with Yan Liang's nonchalant and dismissive attitude. Pointing his finger at Yan Liang's nose, he shouted angrily:

"Watch your attitude! This is the highest meeting room of the Public Security Headquarters, not a place for you to run wild!"

Yan Liang couldn't be bothered with these old geezers who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Having read the original novel, he knew that in the Public Security Bureau, apart from Ma Qima, there was no one else he needed to pay attention to. So, at this moment, he simply ignored their questions as mere barking.

However, Yan Liang astutely noticed a problem.

Although the old man appeared to be questioning him, his expression remained unchanged, which, combined with his actions, made the whole thing seem extremely incongruous...

Even emptiness.

Without changing his expression, Yan Liang didn't answer his question for the time being, but instead focused his attention back on Machima's face.

“Machima.” Yan Liang pointed to the old men and asked her:

"Aren't you going to introduce them? And who are these people?"

"Don't be rude, Yan Liangjun."

Machimae gracefully raised a hand, stopping the other executives from asking questions. She then began her introduction with unhurried ease:

“These people are all high-ranking directors who oversee our Japanese Public Security Bureau.”

"In terms of rank, seniority, and power in the Metropolitan Police Department, they are all above me."

"Oh, the higher-ups."

Yan Liang pretended to suddenly understand, nodded, and then sneered:

"So what? What does it have to do with me?"

Let alone high-ranking officials, even if the Japanese Prime Minister stood in front of him, expecting him to bow his head and agree would be a joke.

Moreover, Yan Liang, who has read the original work, knows very well that Machima has secretly taken control of all the high-ranking officials in the Japanese Public Security Bureau.

When Machima said that, it was clearly a way of coaxing him.

"You bastard—"

Seeing that the old men were getting impatient and wanted to say something more, Machima spoke up again, her voice easily drowning out everyone else present.

"Yan Liangjun, please don't do this to me..."

"Or rather, do they have such a strong resistance to the police?"

Maqima rested her chin on her interlaced fingers, staring intently at Yan Liang:

"Believe me, this meeting isn't aimed at you. On the contrary, it's actually very beneficial for you."

Hearing this, Yan Liang didn't say anything, but gestured with his eyes for her to continue.

"You saw today's attack. The public security force has suffered unprecedented damage, with a large number of vacancies in both grassroots and high-level positions."

Machima's tone became slightly more serious: "In order to deal with the mess that's about to happen, the higher-ups have decided to reorganize the existing Exorcism Specializations Division."

"And I will be in full charge of the reorganized Anti-Magic Special Class."

At this point, Machima paused, her gaze shifting between Yan Liang and Machima:

“However, the police force is too large to handle alone. I need a capable deputy who can keep things under control.”

"Your performance in this incident... or rather, considering your previous performances, has brought your abilities to the attention of the higher-ups. Everyone agrees that you have the ability to take on this responsibility."

Upon hearing these words, Yan Liang couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

First, let these old men put pressure on him, and then throw high-ranking positions and generous salaries at him to win him over. It's the same old stick and dates. Yan Liang has used this trick himself before, so how could he possibly fall for it?

Machima's words weren't finished yet:

"But, Yan Liangjun, you should also understand the difficulties faced by the higher-ups."

“When I promoted you to be the captain of Special Division 4, I went against the majority opinion and ignored some normal procedures. At that time, I valued your strength too much, but I didn’t deal with the problems you had.”

"Your origins are unknown, your identity is a mystery, like a time bomb that could explode at any moment."

"If you're just a squad leader, that's fine, but if you want to become the vice-captain, you have to give everyone an explanation. So, we need to vet you."

"If this investigation goes smoothly and clears the doubts about you, you will be the vice-captain in charge of the entire Japanese Public Security Anti-Demon Special Division. At that time, your position... will be second only to me."

A brief silence fell over the empty conference hall.

The expressions of the several high-ranking old men remained unchanged, but they did not refute anything. All eyes were on Yan Liang, waiting for his next move.

Rising to the top of the Japanese Public Security Bureau in one fell swoop is a pinnacle of power that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

However, Yan Liang merely blinked. He coldly uttered a single word:

"Oh."

Then, Yan Liang sighed, somewhat speechless:

"After all that rambling, it was all for this?"

"So you're going to get a few old geezers to play the good cop/bad cop, and then try to sway me with a carrot in the bag, is that it?"

With a cold snort, Yan Liang turned around, leaving his back to the five people behind the conference table, and strode towards the door.

“You’ve got one thing wrong. I don’t care about being a deputy captain in the police force. Whoever wants the position can take it.”

"I'm sleepy, I'm going back to catch up on my sleep."

Watching Yan Liang's departing figure, the senior executives remained motionless, but Ma Qima's voice rang out again, as if she had been prepared all along.

"That's a real shame..."

Machima watched Yan Liang's retreating figure and said softly:

"I was thinking that if you became the deputy captain, as my deputy, you would have access to the highest level of internal authority in the Public Security Bureau, allowing you to freely access most of the secret resources of the Public Security Headquarters."

Yan Liang didn't stop walking; he was about to reach the mahogany gate.

“This naturally includes,” Machima drawled, “the containment facilities deep underground in headquarters, where all sorts of high-level demons are secretly imprisoned.”

"..."

"Dah."

It wasn't until Machima threw out the bait that Yan Liang stopped just a step away from the gate.

Chapter 140 Still Not Under Pressure

Yan Liang stopped just a step away from the gate.

With his back to the conference table, Yan Liang appeared to be just stunned, but in reality, he had already begun to think.

Why did Machima choose to throw out this condition at this particular time and in this particular setting?

Based on this question, Yan Liang came to two answers: one good news and one bad news.

The good news is that Machima may genuinely not want her relationship with him to continue like this, and she couldn't help but relent.

The bad news is that this is clearly a trap, and you shouldn't easily agree to this offer.

Yan Liang remained silent. He knew very well that this was a trap set by Machima. She had brought in these high-ranking officials to play the bad cop, simply to force him to bow down to her through suppression.

Being led by the nose by Machima is something Yan Liang will not allow to happen.

However... since the bait has already been offered to him, why wouldn't he take it? Perhaps he has another option: to pull the bait out of the trap and snatch a chestnut from the fire.

Having made up his mind, Yan Liang turned around, a casual smile appearing on his face.

He walked back to the conference table and looked at Machima:

“If you’re so eager to find someone from the start, we can really have a proper talk.” Yan Liang raised an eyebrow: “So, how do you want to conduct the investigation? Where do you want to start?”

Machima's smile deepened. Without saying a word, she pointed to the chair in front of her.

Yan Liang snorted coldly in his heart, temporarily swallowing his anger.

He stopped talking nonsense and walked to the chair, sitting down casually. But even though he sat down, his posture didn't resemble that of someone being interrogated.

Yan Liang leaned back in his chair with ease, crossed his arms over his chest, and casually crossed his legs.

Facing Machima and his group, his posture didn't resemble that of someone being interrogated. Rather, it gave the impression that Yan Liang was interrogating them.

Seeing Yan Liang sit down, the old men said nothing. One of them cleared his throat and adopted a condescending attitude:

"Since you're willing to cooperate, let's begin."